Nehemiah 10:37 –
We will store the produce in the storerooms of the Temple of our God. We will bring the best of our flour and other grain offerings, the best of our fruit, and the best of our new wine and olive oil. And we promise to bring to the Levites a tenth of everything our land produces, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our rural towns.
I always have to “check” myself on this each Christmas season, when giving becomes so emphasized. We do food drives, clothing drives, feed the homeless campaigns and the like. I often find myself figuring out how I can help with what is left. I justify giving the torn jacket or the worn out shirt as it being “better that what they have”. When I shop for food drive, I figure more is better and buy only bulk generic items.
Honestly, should we be shopping the “bottom shelf” for donations and the “top shelf” for ourselves? This verse is clear to give our best and nothing less. It doesn’t say give till it hurts, but of the 10% we are giving make sure it’s quality. We are instructed to give the best, not the least, to honor God. Our giving mentality needs to be more than just volume or discard, but give what we would want.
Now there are two arguments against what I said, first lies in Mathew 7:6 warning us about casting “your pearls before swine”. It’s very clear not to waste time or energy on people who are not receptive. Interesting that verse is sandwiched between verses about judging and receiving. Not sure how to take it other than we need to let God judge where the “swine’s” are and we need to focus on doing what is prompted of us. Second argument against giving the best is this offering is talking about giving to the church and not the poor. So we should be giving our best to the churches and not necessarily to the homeless, who would not appreciate organic cereal.
This is one of those heart issues and I land on the side of give what I would want and nothing less. Granted many times that means 1 bag of groceries and not 3, but I hope the receiver sees love in getting quality and not quantity. I may be wrong and what is desired is a volume, therefore maybe the answer is giving what they desire. If you can ask them what they need and then purchase the best you can. I can honestly say this is a difficult verse to understand and follow mixing it with Mathew 7:6. Many times you cannot follow your heart and you need to focus on the scriptures. Just give your best and pray it’s not going to “swine”!